Stewardship FAQ's
What is meant by Stewardship?
Stewardship at St. Edmund’s refers to our commitment to properly care for our parish—the ministries, the staff, the buildings and grounds, our relationships with each other and the wider community—and to steward our resources for future generations. To ensure the well-being of our church community, we give of our own time, talent, creativity, physical labor, and money as each of us is able. We also express our thanks and appreciation to God for the gifts we receive in community. When each of us gives as we are able, we enable the ministries of St. Edmund’s to flourish.
How is stewardship related to spiritual growth?
Financial stewardship is an important component of a balanced spiritual life and a tangible way to express our faith. As with any endeavor, the more we practice, the better we become at what we have set our minds to. Our spiritual lives and our material lives are intertwined. Many of us have difficulty giving and receiving due to anxiety about not having enough or fears that who we are or what we have to give is not good enough. Conscious stewardship is a way of being attentive to and learning to trust in God who is “working in us, can do more than we can ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Is my stewardship defined only by the money I give to the church?
Absolutely not. Time and service given to others is a critical component of stewardship. St. Edmund’s can’t function without all three gifts of money, time and service.
Why is making a Pledge or a Giving Estimate important?
The Vestry does its best to operate the church on a sound financial basis, and knowing what the church can expect in income enhances the vestry’s ability to plan responsibly. A Giving Estimate or Pledge is a statement of your intent for giving to St. Edmund’s Church in the upcoming calendar year. The amount may be changed, increased or decreased during the year if your financial circumstances change. It is not a legal obligation. A quarterly statement will be sent to you to help you keep track of your payments.
How much should I give? Am I expected to tithe?
The most important thing is to make a pledge or gift that is meaningful to you, given your personal financial circumstances. The concept of tithing (giving 10% of your income) is rooted in scripture and Episcopal doctrine, yet in today’s world each of us supports multiple organizations which fulfill important missions and require financial support. So, understandably, our personal “tithe” may include multiple organizations, many of which have large and broad donor bases. Your giving makes a large impact on St. Edmund’s ability to fulfill our goals for our parish and community. More information about proportional giving is enclosed.
How do I provide a Pledge or Giving Estimate?
Fill out the Giving Estimate Card you receive in the mail or pick up in the narthex; return it by mail or by placing in the Sunday offering plate. You may also pledge online at saintedmunds.org. Additionally, you may provide a new Estimate or update your existing Estimate at any time on our website at https://saintedmunds.org or by emailing your intention to bookkeeper@saintedmunds.org. All pledges will be blessed this year on November 22. You may prepay your pledge at the same time you send in the Estimate card but it is not necessary to include any money at this time. This Estimate applies to the 2027 calendar year.
How can I make my payments?
You may pay weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly by any of the following:
● Electronic funds transfer services such as Zelle or Bill Pay through your bank
● Cash or checks in an envelope placed in the collection plate during worship on Sunday
● Checks mailed to our church office at PO Box 80038, San Marino, 91118
● Credit card through our website using PayPal (saintedmunds.org)
● Gifts of stock
● Many companies have matching funds for charitable donations; please let us know if that is part of your giving plan
● You may pay using a Donor-Advised Fund but it is helpful to advise us by email when doing so.
Contact the office (bookkeeper@saintedmunds.org) with questions about any of these.
Is there additional income that supplements the budget?
Approximately 60% of our budget in 2026 came from pledges and gifts from parishioners. The other 40% of the budget comes from rental income and our endowment and investments. St. Edmund’s depends on your faithfulness and generosity.
Questions?
If you have questions about financial stewardship, our Senior Warden, Gail Rolfe, is happy to talk with you.